Programme timeline of Care Experiences: Journeys through the Irish Care System

December 2021

The department/Tusla joint working group, appointed in November 2020 to recommend to the Minister how best to respond to Action 65 of the Ryan Report Implementation Plan (2009), submits its report to Minister O’Gorman for his consideration.

January 2022

Memorandum for Information to Government is issued on 'Proposed approach on the implementation of The Ryan Report Implementation Plan Action 65'.

Minister Roderic O’Gorman launches the Care Experiences project (then named 'A research and data project examining the lives of children in care and those who were in care as children').

April 2022

Formation of initial Programme team consisting of programme lead and research and information specialist.

The department/Tusla joint working group issue the high-level recommendation report: research and data project examining the lives of children in care and adults who were in care as children.

May 2022

Programme team begins drafting framework of Programme governance and advisory structures.

July 2022

Programme manager gives presentation on the Care Experiences Programme to Tusla Research Advisory Group.

September 2022

Chairperson of the steering committee is confirmed and invitations for membership are issued.

Tusla representative joins the Programme team on a collaborative agreement for a 10 month period.

October 2022

Initiation of the Care Experiences Programme steering committee with first meeting held in DCEDIY offices.

Programme team begins drafting framework and protocol for formation of a Care Experienced Expert Panel (CEEP).

DCEDIY administrative officer joins the Programme team.

November 2022

Care Experiences Stakeholder Advisory Group membership invitations are issued.

December 2022

Chairperson for Stakeholder Advisory Group is confirmed.

February 2023

Programme Team issue letter to relevant stakeholders requesting them to notify young people with care experience about formation of the Care Experienced Expert Panel.

March 2023

Briefing on Care Experiences Programme given to North-South Ministerial Council.

Initiation of the Stakeholder Advisory Group with first meeting held in DCEDIY offices.

Steering committee approve their terms of reference at member meeting.

Programme team issues invitations to potential Care Experienced Expert Panel members to attend information event held at DCEDIY offices.

Publication of DCEDIY literature review 'Children in care and young adults leaving care, a literature review of Irish research'.

May 2023

Stakeholder Advisory Group approve their terms of reference at member meeting.

April 2023

Care Experienced Expert Panel general information event is held at DCEDIY offices.

Confirmation of 12 members for the Care Experienced Expert Panel.

May 2023

Virtual Care Experienced Expert Panel introductory meeting is held.

Creation of co-production CEEP sub-group and commencement of work to create new Programme brand and website.

July 2023

Creation of new name and tagline by the Care Experienced Expert Panel sub-group - Care Experiences: Journeys through the Irish care system.

August 2023

Creation of new logo for the project, co-produced by Care Experienced Expert Panel sub-group.

September 2023

Programme team gives a presentation on the project at the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect (ISPCAN) 2023 Conference: Advancement in Data and Solutions for Tackling Child Abuse.

October 2023

Contract signed between the DCEDIY and Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with the University of Sussex, to carry out research entitled 'A research study to explore the experiences and outcome of young adults who left the Irish care system in the aftermath of the Ryan Report'.

Filming and production of website information videos.

First official meeting of the Care Experienced Expert Panel.

Official launch of the Care Experiences Programme website.

Programme Team and members of the Care Experienced Expert Panel give a presentation on Care Experiences project to Irish Aftercare Network Annual Conference, Power and Empowerment – Changing Perceptions, Challenging Barriers and Promoting Change.

November 2023

Programme Lead and members of the Care Experienced Expert Panel contribute to the Child Summit as members of discussion panels and parallel session leaders.